Luminous sign



1937. H. R. VAN DEVENTER ET AL 2,068,360

LUMINOUS S IGN Filed April 50, 1955 INVENTORS Harry R. vanDel/enfer' BYc/ohn cl Shive y ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 19, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE 2,068,360 LUMIINOUS srcn Application April 30, 1935, Serial No.19,039

14 Claims. (01. 40-132) s v This invention relates to improvementsin aluminous sign and more particularly to a 'sign of such construction thatit is easily combined with other devices such asucash registers, gaso- 6line and oil pumps, scales, coffee mills, meat slicers and the like.

.An object of the invention is to provide a sign adapted to employ agrid of luminous tubing and to resiliently mount same in the signcasing.

Another object is to provide a sign having an outer and inner glass andmeans between said glasses whereby the indicia of the sign can bechanged.

A further object is to provide a sign to be combined with and if desiredactuated by the operation of another device on which the sign issupported.

Other objects will appear from a perusal of the following specification,wherein one form of the sign is disclosed. adapted to be mounted on acash register. This disclosure is however merely for the sake ofillustration and the invention is not to be considered as limitedthereto.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a sign combined with a cash registerand embodying the,

invention;

Figures 2 and 3 are detail views of the drawer switch mechanism shown inFigure 1;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sign, Figure 1;

Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the grid and reflector shown in Figure4; and

Figure 6 is a side view of a combined sign and cash register showing amodified transformer and switch arrangement.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a sign whichmay be combined with a device such as a cash register, gasoline or oilpumps, scales, cofiee mills or any other devices commonly used instores. If desired, the sign can be so arranged as to be displayed atthe manual operation of some part of the device on which it is mounted.

For the sake of illustration, the sign has been shown in Figure Imounted upon an ordinary cash register, and the numeral l0 denotes thebody of the register, and the numeral II denotes the sign proper mountedthereon and wholly supported thereby.

The luminous tube 36, hereinafter fdescribed in detail, is connected tothe transformer I! by means of the high tension leads I3 which arcovered by an insulating tube I4.

The main switch I5 is connected to the auxiliary switch l6 by means of ashunt connection I'l, switch l6 controlling a flasher l8 and said switchbeing controlled by a button l9 which extends through the side wall ofthe register. By means of this button, the switch can be turned on andoff in order to control the flasher circuit.

A low tension lead such as an ordinary flexible cord 20 is provided witha plug 2i which may be inserted in any convenient electric outlet.

The main switch I5 is provided with a plunger 22 which has a spring 23around the shank thereof which keeps the plunger in a normally extendedposition as shown in Figure 2. This plunger is under the control of thedrawer 24 of the cash register. These drawers are usually so constructedthat upon pushing one of the keys 25 of the register, the drawer isreleased and springs outwardly from the position shown in Figure 3 tothat shown in Figure 2, thereby controlling the switch l5 which is inits off" position when the plunger 22 is in the position shown in Figure3, and on when the plunger is out as shown in Figure 2; or obviously theon and off" positions can be reversed.

From the foregoing, it will be evident that the circuit from the plug 2|through the cord 20 and through the switches I 5 or i 6 and viatransformer l2 to the luminous tube 26 is controlled by the movement ofa part of the device on which the sign II is supported, and it will beobvious that this control could be effected not only by the drawer 25but also by the depression of one of the keys 25.

It will also be understood that the control of a sign can be effected byother means when it is mounted on a device, for example, such as agasoline pump commonly used at filling stations. Here the movement ofthe hose would control the sign by means of a switch of any suitableconstruction, replacing the drawer 24 in this respect.

In the 'case of cofiee mills or the like on which the sign ll may bemounted, it is obvious that it can be controlled by any suitableswitching mechanism adapted to be controlled in unison with the switchfor starting and stopping the motor of the device. Such switchingarrangements are entirely within the skill of a competent engineer anddonot require illustration here, it being sufficient for the purposes ofthis. application to disclose the broad idea of a lu- -of the apparatus.or device on which the sign is supported.

In use on any device, the sign cooperates therewith to call attention tothe merchandise handled by the device, or to convey some message inrespect to the sale or other transaction registered thereby.

For example in connection with the cash register shown in Figure 1, upondepressing one of the keys 25 and thereby releasing the drawer 2'4,switch I is operated, a circuit is established through the transformerto the luminous'tube 36 which lights, thereby displaying a sign on thetransparency 35 to be presently described. This sign may consist of thewords Thank you or it may convey any other sales message desired. In thetype of registers where there are separate keys- 26 for each salesman oreach department, it is possible to have the transparency 35 so arrangedthat only a part thereof is illuminated representing a certaindepartment. For example, suppose the indicator 26 in the register window21 is displayed in connection with they purchase of gloves by reason ofthe fact that all gloves are handled by salesman A who depresses the Asalesmans key in the register when making a sale. Then simultaneouslywith the appearance of the registry number such as 26 in the window 21of the register, the sign II will be illuminated across a portion of thetransparency 35, which portion may read The gloves you have justpurchased are fully guaranteed.

If the purchase were stockings sold by salesman B" then upon depressionofthe B key, the message illuminated on the transparency would beappropriate to stockings, etc.

The sign provided as shown in Figure 4, com-' prises a body or frame 26preferably of insulatprovided with a suitable ing material having aninwardly extending flange 23a the rear side of which flange supports atransparent panel 29 of suitable material such as glass or the like,which is preferably held to the flange 28a by means of cement as shownat 33. This glass may carry the indicia to form a sign.

An outer transparent panel of glass or the like 3| is mounted in theouter frame 32 which is gasket 33 of soft rubber or the like.

The frame 28 is provided with a downwardly extending outer lip 34 aroundthe 'top outer edge thereof, and it will be apparent from a study ofFigure 4 that the frame 32 carrying the outer glass 3i is readilyremovable from the main frame 28 and that when placed therein in theposition shown in the figure, a space exists between the inner and outerglasses.

In the space Just mentioned (when the glass 23 is left blank) may beplaced a transparency 35 which transparency may be of any suitable formsuch as a piece of cellophane, celluloid, glass or any other transparentor translucent material having a solid black background with the lettersor other design forming the sign transparent or translucent so that thelight from the luminous tube 36 may find egress therethrough.

The luminous tube 36 may be of any suitable type, preferably of thegaseous type such as the well known neon type and this tube restsagainst the inner surface of the inner glass 29 and behind the tube isplaced a plurality of reflector strips 31 behind which strips is placedthe soft ordinary sponge rubber support 33 which support inturn iscarried by the braces 39 forming part of the back 40 preferably ofinsulating material which back is secured by any suitable means such asthe. screws 4| to the body 28.

Suitable high tension leads like those shown at l3, Figure 1, connectthe terminals of the tube 33 with the secondary winding of thetransformer l2.

Figure 6 may be employed. Here aregister 42 or other device on which thesign is to be unounted, carries the sign 4! thereon as shown, the back40 having a rearwardly extending portion 43 in which the transformer islocated.

A conduit 46 may convey the low tension or primary current tothatransformer and conduit may terminate in the switch 43 having an arm44 extending therefrom adapted to be moved by, the opening and closingof the register drawer 24 in order to control the sign. Connection ismade to the electric circuit via the cord 45 and plug 2|.

It will be observed that in connection with either of the signs shown inFigures 1 and 6, that the position of the sign may be reversed so thatthe face thereof can be turned either outwardly as shown or inwardlytowards the keys 25. It .will also be evident that when the sign isbuilt into a device such as the register shown in the figures, that thetransformer l2 may be located either on the base of the regis ter frameinside the casing thereof or in any other suitable location; that themain distinction between the method of mounting as shown in Figures 1and 6 is that in Figure 1 the transformer is mounted on the devicesupporting the sign. In Figure 6, the transformer is mounted upon thesign proper.

The body, frame or front casing 23 and back casing 40, Figure 4, and thecorresponding front and back casings on the sign 41, Figure 6, are

preferably made of insulating material such as bakelite or the like, soas to enclose all of the parts of the sign that mightcome in contactwith the circuits thereof.

It will also be observed that the sign proper can be detached from thedevice on which it is mounted without disturbing any parts of the saiddevice, the sign body 23 being entirely separate and independent fromthe body ll! of the device on which the sign is mounted.

Although the invention has been disclosed in connection with thespecific details of preferred embodiments thereof, it must be understoodthat such details are not intended to be limitative of the inventionexcept in so far as set forth in the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a sign, a body having an inwardly extending flange, a transparentmember resting against the inner surface of said flange, illuminatingmeans adjacent the rear surface of said member, a reflector in the rearof said means, a rear casing and resilient means supported on saidcasing for positioning said illuminating means and reflector relative tosaid member.

2. In a sign, a body having an inwardly extending flange, a transparentmember resting against the rear surface of said flange, illuminatingmeans adjacent the rear surface of said u member, a reflector in therear of said means, a rear casing secured to said body on which saidmeans and reflector are supported, a second transparent member supportedby said body in front of said flrst member, and means forming a signadapted to be illuminated by said first means positioned between saidmembers.

3. In a sign, a body, a transparent member supported therein,illuminating means in the rear of said member, a reflector in the rearof said means, a rear casing secured to said body and supporting saidmeans and reflector in operative relation thereto, a second transparentmember removably positioned in said body, and means forming a signpositioned between said members.

4. The sign as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second transparent memberis provided with a frame removably mounted in the body.

5. The-sign as claimed in claim 3, wherein the second transparent memberis provided with aframe removably mounted in said body, a gasket beinginterposed between said body and frame whereby egress of moisture to thespace between the transparent members is prevented.

6. In a sign, a body, a transparent member supported therein,illuminating means in the rear of said member, a reflector in the rearof said means, a rear casing secured to said body and supporting saidmeans and reflector in operative relation thereto, a second transparentmember removably positioned in said body, means forming a signpositioned between said members, and a transformer supported in saidbody and having connections to said illuminat ing means.

'7. In a sign, a body, a transparent member supported therein,illuminating means comprising a tube having a plurality of substantiallyparallel portions, a reflector in the rear of said tube comprised of aplurality of individual strips lying substantially parallel with saidtubes, a resilient support for said reflectors adapted to hold same incontact with the rear of said tube and to press the latter against theinner wall of said transparent member, a rear casing adapted to supportsaid resilient means, and a transformer connected to said tube andsupported by said casing.

8. In a sign, the combination of a body, a transparent member supportedtherein, a luminous tube grid adjacent the inner face of said member, areflector positioned behind said grid, a resilient support for said.reflector, and a rear casing adapted to enclose said member,

grid and reflector, said casing having an inwardly extending portionadapted to support said resilient means.

9. In a sign of the class described, a body comprising a frame having aninwardly extending flange, a glass supported on the inside of saidflange, a luminous tube behind said glass, a frame removably supportedin said body and adapted to engage said flange on the outer sidethereof, a glass in said frame spaced apart from said front glass, and atransparency between said glasses.

10. A sign as claimed in claim 9 having a rear casing secured to theframe, said rear casing enclosing and supporting a transformer connectedto the luminous tube.

11. In a sign, a frame having a transparent front flxed therein, asecond frame removably fitting within said first frame and having atransparent front flxed therein, a transparent panel between saidtransparent fronts, a casing secured to said front, and means withinsaid casing for causing light to pass through said panel.

12. In a sign, a luminous tube, a casing having a transparent frontadapted to position said tube therein and act as a front supporttherefor, a reflector partially supported on said tube, said casinghaving a rearwardly extending part serving to further and completelysupport said tube and reflector, a transformer mounted on said casingand having its secondary connected to said tube and entirely enclosed'bysaid casing, and a flexible connection extending outwardly through thewall of said casing and connected at its inner end to a winding on saidtransformer therein.

13. In a sign, a luminous tube, a casing having a transparent frontadapted to position said tube therein and act as a front support, areflector partially supported on said tube, said casing having arearwardly extending part serving to further and completely support saidtube and reflector, a transformer supported in a rearwardly extendedportion of said casing, and a transparent panel overlying saidtransparent front and removably supported on said casing.

14. The sign as claimed in claim 13 wherein a resilient support isprovided bearing against the tube and reflector, and said support beingmounted upon an interior wall of the casing and enclosed thereby.

HARRY a. van Dnvms'raa. JOHN J. smvnLY.

